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Enjoying Alcohol

BethB1612
BethB1612 Posts: 4
edited December 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
Hi
I like a few alcoholic drinks at the weekend and wonder if I should include these in my allowance, if you have added allowance or if it would work if you carry calories over.
I am eating the bare minimum and want to ensure that I eat before I have a drink and dont subidise alchohol for food because of calories.
Your thoughts please.......thank you

Replies

  • AntWrig
    AntWrig Posts: 2,273 Member
    Hi
    I like a few alcoholic drinks at the weekend and wonder if I should include these in my allowance, if you have added allowance or if it would work if you carry calories over.
    I am eating the bare minimum and want to ensure that I eat before I have a drink and dont subidise alchohol for food because of calories.
    Your thoughts please.......thank you
    When I got serious about fitness, I stopped drinking. While donuts, cakes, and pies are considered bad foods. Alcohol has NO nutrition value what so ever.
  • Moniqua1
    Moniqua1 Posts: 195 Member
    I looooove to enjoy the weekend drinking. I usually carry healthy foods with me so when I get the drunk munchies, I don't order bar good and even though beer is my favorite (i like the heavy, dark beers aka calorie counters worst nightmare) but if I really want to be conscious of calories I drink vodka and soda with a squirt of mio or.crystal light (yes, I carry them around to the bar) as far as logging goes, I usually forget lol, I do it all on top of my calories but I'm usually a little low through the week so I have a little extra on the "rollover" mentality. Don't forego nutrition.
  • wingchunrick
    wingchunrick Posts: 267 Member
    If yu so need alcohol you definitely need to log and include it in your allowance as its surprising how many calories are in it!
  • logdunne
    logdunne Posts: 132 Member
    It may have no nutritional value, but it is good :-)
    I do include it in my calorie count, but I wont stress if i go over my allowance because I have had a second pint of cider.
    I am figuring this is a lifestyle change, can i live without drink? yes. Do i want to live without drink? Hell no. Conclusion? Drink when i fancy a drink- as long as its not every night (2 nights a week average) i wont stress about it :-)
  • Patovader
    Patovader Posts: 439 Member
    I enjoyed my alcohol throughout (check my diary), I usually have an afternoon in the pub every Saturday, the best part of a bottle of wine on a Friday and a few beers on a Sunday.

    Factor it into your allowance and log it like everything else. Its ok to 'bank' some calories for a splurge at the weekend, I did this for a year and lost steadily throughout (circa 1 pound per week). I have been maintaining now since April and it still works :)
  • Poods71
    Poods71 Posts: 502 Member
    If you don't go mad and fit them in your calorie allowance it shouldn't be a problem. I like to have a few glasses of wine at the weekend but found that my weight loss was stalling. I would lose 1 to 1.5lbs through the week and then put it all back on at the weekend. Decided last weekend not to drink and managed to lose and I'm back on track to getting to my goal weight :smile:
  • bathsheba_c
    bathsheba_c Posts: 1,873 Member
    I definitely count it because it can be pretty high calorie. Beer is 125-150 calories per bottle (color doesn't actually matter). Some other good options are rum and diet coke, cape cod, basically anything made by mixing a shot with a low-calorie beverage.

    The thing to really watch out for are the mixed drinks. The syrups, juices, unclear amounts of alcohol can add up really quickly.
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    i dont count it for a number of reasons:

    firstly, i have cut WAY down (not that i was a raging alcoholic before i joined fitness pal!!!) and usually only drink once a week or less, as alcohol has no nutritional value.

    plus, when i am hungover i can literally eat the whole world, so can never stuck to my cals the day after. which is a good reason not to do it in the first place!

    but also, if i do want a few drinks, i dont think it is particularly healthy to only eat 500 calories and then go drinking. i would rather line my stomach with something nutritious before i go get merry! and maybe work out a little more before and after.

    i think its very much a case of each to their own. but if you drink regularly and are struggling to lose, the alcohol may be why!
  • Patovader
    Patovader Posts: 439 Member
    It may have no nutritional value, but it is good :-)
    I do include it in my calorie count, but I wont stress if i go over my allowance because I have had a second pint of cider.
    I am figuring this is a lifestyle change, can i live without drink? yes. Do i want to live without drink? Hell no. Conclusion? Drink when i fancy a drink- as long as its not every night (2 nights a week average) i wont stress about it :-)

    ^ This :)
  • BethB1612
    BethB1612 Posts: 4
    Thank you all for your feedback this really helps me make a decision. I work hard and like to have a few drinks on a Saturday.

    I agree with Patovader and think that logdunnes reply is exactly how I will proceed. I only have a drink at the weekend and am going to change from cider to vodka with lots of slimline tonic.

    I will also count the calories but not be too upset if I go over. I also agree that you must take your own munchies as I also like chocolate and crisps(chips) when I am having a few drinks and this can be lethal!

    This is my first week with myfitnesspal so thank you all for your support.

    I will continue to work hard to beat the bulge!!
  • logdunne
    logdunne Posts: 132 Member
    *bows* Glad to have helped :-)
  • nxd10
    nxd10 Posts: 4,572 Member
    What do you mean 'the bare minimum'?

    If you can't eat your calories and fit in alcohol, then you should look at what you're eating. You can eat an awful lot of veggies and meat for very few calories, which gives you a lot of space for a few drinks in your diary.
  • Lina4Lina
    Lina4Lina Posts: 712 Member
    When I first started losing weight, I took drastic lifestyle measures for the first few months including not eating certain things, not going out to eat, etc. I don't think there is an issue with giving up certain things for a while then adding them back in later if you like.

    I gave up regular drinking in my early 20s and I don't miss it one bit. I may have a drink once a year as part of a social ocassion but I don't feel like a desire to drink. I wouldn't have known though if I hadn't decided not to drink for a while.
  • BethB1612
    BethB1612 Posts: 4
    What do you mean 'the bare minimum'?

    If you can't eat your calories and fit in alcohol, then you should look at what you're eating. You can eat an awful lot of veggies and meat for very few calories, which gives you a lot of space for a few drinks in your diary.

    I guess I mean the bare minimum for me as I have only just joined. I agree I need to look at what I am eating and fit both in! Thank you :smile:
  • LydsVille77
    LydsVille77 Posts: 126 Member
    I try and count... but fact is sometimes I dont. Throw in some extra exercise and avoid carbs the day you plan on drinking. It usually balances out for me. It's awesome that some people have quit drinking all together but I refuse to give up something i enjoy so much. Good luck ;) Youll find what works for you.
  • BethB1612
    BethB1612 Posts: 4
    I try and count... but fact is sometimes I dont. Throw in some extra exercise and avoid carbs the day you plan on drinking. It usually balances out for me. It's awesome that some people have quit drinking all together but I refuse to give up something i enjoy so much. Good luck ;) Youll find what works for you.

    There needs to be a like button on here :happy:
    Thank you for your advice:smile:
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